VPR021623

Memorial Day in Villa Park

Future Warriors

(and Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone and Leslie Allison-Seei—chair of the Villa Park Community Pride Commission. Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday of each April. The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Villa Park with Tree City USA designation for 36 straight years. To receive that recognition, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance.

Willowbrook High School’s cheerleading program recently held its winter cheer camp for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. The young campers took the court to perform during halftime of Saturday’s boys basketball game against Addison Trail. Some of the campers are pictured during the halftime performance.

Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 held its Memorial Day service on Monday morning at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park. Post Commander Jim Blankshain is pictured bowing his head as Willowbrook High School students Lily Hendrickson and Anna Seelbach sound taps at the end of the ceremony. The post’s 2020 Memorial Day event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s observance included a reading of the names of the Post 2801 members who have recently died. That list included World War II veteran Charles “Sid” Bergh, who served as the master of ceremonies of the post’s annual Memorial Day service for several years. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Bergh died in October 2020. He was 94 years old. Bergh was the post’s last surviving World War II veteran.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

D88 students urged to consider college prep, apprenticeship programs

As District 88 students in the classes of 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 continue to plan and select courses for the 2023-24 school year, District 88 officials are reminding families that its highest priority is to ensure there are rigorous – yet flexible and individualized – programming to meet the needs of the student population. It is the focus to have each student working toward a viable college and career integrated pathway, including access to college coursework, while at District 88, along with real-life career opportunities in the field of that student’s choice.

To that end, in addition to District

88’s college-preparatory course offerings within its core departments (including expanded Advanced Placement, dual-credit and college credit courses through Elmhurst University), District 88 offers externally credentialed and dual-credit career pathways, including automotive technology, culinary arts, business careers, engineering, medical careers, teacher preparation, building trades as well as internship and paid apprenticeship programs in the manufacturing and technology fields. For more information, visit dupage88. net/site/page/15309

Members of the class of 2023 are

reminded about College of DuPage’s Project Hire-Ed Apprenticeship Program, which teaches skills in specific occupations, helping students con-

nect to a career pathway. The program provides on-the-job training so participants can get paid while learning. An online information session is

scheduled at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22 and again on Thursday, April 13. For more information, visit dupage88.net/site/page/15374.

Smith’s season ends at an individual sectional Warrior earns one win at Hinsdale Central before losing two matches

STAFF REPORT

Senior Isaiah Smith of the Willowbrook wrestling team competed in the IHSA Class 3A individual sectional at Hinsdale Central High School, which took place on Friday and Saturday. The top four finishers in each weight class at the sectional qualified for the IHSA Class 3A individual state meet, which begins today in Champaign.

Smith, who competed in the 132-pound weight class at the sectional, did not earn a state-meet

berth. He opened the sectional with an 11-4 victory. Smith was pinned in the second period of his quarterfinal match. Smith’s season ended after his next contest—a 12-11 loss in a consolation-round match.

Smith completed the season with an overall record of 25-14.

Addison Trail

Four Addison Trail wrestlers competed in the IHSA Class 3A individual sectional at Conant High School, which took place Friday and

Saturday in Hoffman Estates. None of those Blazers advanced to the individual state meet.

Addison Trail freshman Josh Amorn-Vichet, who competed in the sectional’s 120-pound weight bracket, lost his first match at the sectional. He then lost in the consolation round. Amorn-Vichet finished the season with a record of 21-13.

Junior Arjay Valdez of the Blazers lost his first match in the 132-pound level of the sectional. Valdez won his next two matches in the consolation

round before losing in one of that round’s semifinal contests. Valdez completed the season with a 27-12 record.

Junior Martin Duarte of Addison Trail competed in the sectional’s 160-pound weight class. Duarte suffered an overtime loss in the quarterfinal round. He then earned one win in the consolation round before his season ended with a loss in that round. Duarte ended the season with a 25-7 record.

Junior Elmer Olascoaga of the

Blazers lost his quarterfinal match in the sectional’s 195-pound division. Olascoaga then delivered a first-period pin in a consolation-round match. His season ended when he lost his next match in the consolation round. Olascoaga finished the season with a record of 17-8.

Duarte and Olascoaga both won individual titles at the Feb. 4 individual regional at Oak Park/River Forest High School. The top three finishers in each weight class at the regional advanced to the sectional.

Three Warriors contend at the Lake Park Sectional

Addison Trail’s Maddie Muccianti secures a statemeet berth in floor exercises

STAFF REPORT

Three members of Willowbrook High School’s girls gymnastics team competed in last week’s IHSA Lake Park Sectional. None of the those three Warriors advanced to the IHSA state meet, which takes place this Friday and Saturday at Palatine High School.

Senior Sarah Ball, junior Mia McBride and sophomore Naomi Campbell represented Willowbrook at the Lake Park Sectional in Roselle on Feb. 6.

The three Warriors earned their sectional berths with solid performances at the Glenbard West Regional on Jan. 31.

All gymnasts who earned topfive finishes in the regional automatically qualified for the sectional. Some gymnasts also secured at-large sectional berths. Similarly, the gymnasts who turned in top-five finishes in the sectional automatically advanced to the state meet.

Some sectional competitors who finished outside of the top five in the meet’s events earned at-large berths in the state meet.

Ball competed in three events at the sectional. She finished 13th in floor exercises; her routine in that event received a score of 8.85. Ball tied for 13 th on the vault (9.15) and tied for 29 th on the balance beam (7.6).

Ball’s sectional score of 8.85 in floor exercises fell a bit short of what she needed to secure a berth in the state meet. Four gymnasts, including Addison Trail senior Maddie Muccianti, posted sectional scores of 8.925 in floor exercises to earn the last available at-large berths in the state meet in that event.

Muccianti finished in a threeway tie for 10 th in floor exercises at the Lake Park Sectional. The other state qualifier who turned in a sectional score of 8.925 competed at the Conant Sectional.

McBride competed on the balance beam and the uneven bars at the sectional. She also battled in the

sectional’s all-around competition.

McBride placed 28 th on the balance beam (7.65) at the sectional. She added another 28 th-place finish on the uneven bars (7.75). McBride finished 26 th in the sectional’s allaround standings with her total

score of 32.55. In addition to her scores on the balance beam and uneven bars, McBride’s all-around total included scores of 8.6 on the vault and 8.525 in floor exercises.

Campbell, who also qualified for the Lake Park Sectional’s all-

around competition, delivered a 22 nd-place total of 32.975. Her allaround score included an 8.95 on the vault, a 6.875 on the uneven bars, an 8.525 on the balance beam and an 8.625 in floor exercises.

Campbell also contended in the

sectional’s individual competitions in floor exercises and on the balance beam. She finished 15 th on the balance beam with her score of 8.525. Her 8.625 in floor exercises yielded a 19 th-place finish in that event.

Lutheran Church 547 N. Main St. Lombard, IL 60148 (630) 627-2435

Sunday Worship at 10:15 am

Sunday School & Bible Study 9am Wednesday Service at 7pm

Adult Bible Study Wednesdays after Service

Ladies Bible Fellowship Thursdays 6:30pm

February 25 Game Night at 4pm

Everyone is Welcome!

All services are live streamed. You can watch them on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org

Villa Park reView

Your Hometown Newspaper

240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Main Phone 630.834-8244 Fax 630.834-0900

The Villa Park Review is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126.

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Publisher

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The Villa Park Review is mailed to the 60181 zip code areas for $45.00 yearly. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $50.00 yearly. For home delivery information call 630.834-8244.

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THE VILLA PARK REVIEW

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Office Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-3pm

Willowbrook student accused of making threats directed at school

DuPage County State’s Attorney

Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas announced that a male Willowbrook High School student who is out-placed for a portion of the school day to Menta Academy Midway in Chicago, has been charged with two counts of disorderly conduct (Class 4 felony) for allegedly making threatening statements directed at Menta Academy Midway.

The juvenile, who lives in Villa Park, appeared at a detention hearing where Judge Demetrios Panoushis ordered that he be placed

on home detention with electronic monitoring.

It is alleged that on Feb. 1 while at Willowbrook High School, the juvenile, who is 13 years old, told a teacher “I’m going to shoot them b*****s up.” The teacher reported the incident to the Dean of Willowbrook High School. It is further alleged that when speaking to the Dean, the juvenile said “I’m going to f*****g shoot them; not this school, everyone at my other school.”

Authorities at the school contacted the Villa Park Police Department

who, following an investigation, contacted the State’s Attorney’s Office.

“Any threat of violence aimed at a school will immediately be investigated and if found credible, will be charged accordingly,” Berlin said. “Teachers can’t teach, and students can’t learn if they are in fear for their safety while at school. I thank authorities at Willowbrook High School for alerting law enforcement to this incident as well as the Villa Park Police Department for their efforts.”

“As soon as our Villa Park school

resource officer was alerted to the threat, he gathered law enforcement resources to bring about a safe resolution to the alleged threat,” Rivas said. “The law enforcement community in DuPage County is committed to assisting schools in creating safe spaces for teachers to teach and students to learn and thrive. We want to thank the swift action of our Villa Park school resource officer, Villa Park detectives and Villa Park officers.”

The juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 27 in front of Judge Panoushis.

Bond denied for Cook County man charged with armed habitual criminal

DuPage County State’s Attorney

Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas have announced that bond has been denied for a Cook County man charged with armed habitual criminal, among other offenses.

Michael Ducksworth, 35, of Harvey, appeared at a bond hearing in front of Judge Joshua Dieden who granted the state’s motion to deny bond. Ducksworth, who is presently on parole for a 2020 unlawful use of a weapon conviction out of Cook County, has been charged with one count of armed habitual criminal (Class X felony), one count of unlawful possession of a weapon while on parole (Class 2 felony), one count of Possession of a stolen motor vehicle (Class 2 felony) one count of illegal possession of a controlled substance (Class 4

Obituary

MAVIS KECK BERGERON, 89

Mavis Keck Bergeron, Thomson, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Jan. 24, 2023.

The youngest of 12 children, Mavis was born on Aug. 13, 1933, at her grandmother’s home in Washburn, ND, and grew up on her family’s farm just East of Washburn. She attended a one-room country schoolhouse through eighth grade and graduated from Washburn High School in 1950. Mavis worked at the bank in Underwood, ND for several years after high school and married John E. Bergeron on Aug. 21, 1954. They raised their four children in Hibbing and St. Louis Park, MN and Lombard, IL.

After raising her family, Mavis returned to banking and worked for many years at Villa Park Trust and Savings Bank, Villa Park, IL; first as a part-time teller and then as a Loan Administrator, until her retirement in 2000.

Mavis treasured time with family and friends and blessed so many with her kindness, generosity, and tremendous gift for hospitality.

felony) and multiple misdemeanor traffic offenses including fleeing or eluding a police officer.

On Jan. 26 at approximately 11:30 p.m., an officer with the Villa Park Police Department ran the license plate of a suspicious vehicle, a 2020 Nissan Kicks SV, to find that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Harvey the previous day.

Once backup arrived, the officer activated his emergency lights and sirens and attempted to initiate a traffic stop but the Nissan did not stop.

Following an approximately eight-minute-long, two-mile pursuit, the vehicle came to a stop in Oakbrook Terrace.

It is alleged that once the vehicle came to a stop, the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Ducksworth, fled the vehicle on foot. It is

Mavis is survived by her children, William (Cheryl) Bergeron, Oxford, NJ, Patricia (William) Arnott, Thomson, GA, Michael (Vickey) Bergeron, Aurora, IL and Thomas Bergeron, Bolingbrook, IL; her grandchildren, Stephanie (Tim) Leopold, Danielle (Eddie) Gonzalez, Dominique (Justin) Batt, Michael (Lyndsay) Bergeron and Brock (McKenzie) Bergeron; her great grandchildren, Hunter, Morgan, Lily, Parker and Blake; step-granddaughter, Autumn Ramsey and step-great grandson, Caleb Narney; her sister, Betty (Vince) Freborg, Bemidji, MN, sisters-inlaw, Dorothy Keck, Escondido, CA and Marian Meyer, Bismarck, ND as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Mavis was preceded in death by her husband John; her parents, Emanuel and Louise Keck, and siblings, Mabel, Ruth, Ruby, Melita, Albert, Alice, Marvell, Eunice, Curtiss and Eugene.

A Memorial Service will be held on March 12th at Quest Church in Grovetown, Georgia. Burial will be April 21 at Assumption Cemetery, Wheaton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Regency SouthernCare Hospice, 2924 Professional Parkway, Augusta, GA 30907.

alleged that as he fled, Ducksworth was in possession of a firearm and that he ignored officers’ commands to drop the weapon. Officers were able to catch Ducksworth and tackle him to the ground at which time Ducksworth allegedly fell on top of the weapon and continued to resist officers. It is alleged that once officers eventually restrained Duckworth, he was in possession of a Taurus 380 handgun with five bullets in the magazine as well as two 8-balls of cocaine (approximately seven grams total).

“For the second time, a DuPage County judge denied bond for a defendant accused of committing serious crimes,” Berlin said. “The quick apprehension and subsequent denial of bond sends the message that law enforcement in DuPage County takes violent crimes very seriously and the consequences of being caught here with an illegal, dangerous firearm will be swift and significant. I once again commend the Villa Park Police Department for their efforts not only on this case but for their continued commitment to public safety.”

“Felons in stolen vehicles will only lead to more violent crime in our respective communities,” Rivas said. “This is a pattern law-enforcement agencies in DuPage have experienced. Once a stolen vehicle is located, the Villa Park Police Department will go to great lengths to stop that vehicle and bring the occupants of a stolen vehicle to justice. In this case, the Villa Park officers and detectives acted swiftly and effectively to take the alleged armed suspect off the streets.

“We thank the Oak Brook Terrace and Elmhurst Police Departments as well as the Chicago Police Department helicopter and other surrounding agencies for their assistance in the low-speed pursuit and apprehension of the alleged offender. We also thank DuPage State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Assistant State’s Attorneys Sara Henley and Alyssa Rabulinski for their tireless assistance in bringing about these serious charges.”

Ducksworth’s next court appearance is scheduled Feb. 21 for arraignment in front of Judge O’Hallaren Walsh.

Willowbrook Athletic Boosters to hold special event on Feb. 25

The Willowbrook High School Athletic Booster Club will host a “Silver and Blue Parents Night” on Saturday, Feb. 25, at Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801, 39 E. St. Charles Road.

The event, which will take place from 7 to 11 p.m., will celebrate the dedication and efforts of parents of student/athletes at Willowbrook, and thank those parents for all they do to support the school’s athletic programs.

The evening will feature food, a cash bar, a silent auction and music by Wombat Carnival.

Tickets are $10 per person if purchased before Feb. 18. Tickets will be available at the door for $15 per person.

For more information, contact the Willowbrook Athletic Booster Club at willowbrookboosters@gmail. com. To buy tickets for the Feb. 25 event, visit https://tinyurl.com/ParentsNight2023.

“ I once again commend the Villa Park Police Department for their efforts not only on this case but for their continued commitment to public safety.”

–Robert Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney

Warriors complete regular season with a loss to Downers Grove North

Trojans earn a 46-34 win in a conference crossover matchup; post-season begins this week

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook girls basketball team closed out its regular season with last week’s 46-34 loss to Downers Grove North in a West Suburban Conference crossover game in Villa Park.

The Warriors finished their regular season with an overall record of 14-16.

The Feb. 7 matchup between the Warriors and Downers Grove North featured the third-place teams from the conference’s Gold and Silver divisions. Willowbrook placed third in the Gold standings, while the Tro-

jans claimed third in the Silver level. Both teams turned in records of 8-4 in their respective divisions.

Downers Grove North led the Warriors 7-3 after one quarter of last week’s contest. The Trojans owned a 22-10 halftime lead. Their lead grew to 37-21 by the end of the third quarter.

Junior Elle Bruschuk scored 11 points and pulled down nine rebounds for the Warriors last week’s loss to the Trojans. Willowbrook senior Sara Stout provided nine points and 10 rebounds. Senior Yazmin Setaram added five points. Three

Warriors—senior Rimon Kari, senior Nina Nytko and sophomore Halie Ahrens—scored three points each.

Willowbrook began the IHSA Class 4A post-season earlier this week, when it faced Wheaton North at the St. Charles North Regional. The winner of that game will be playing in tonight’s regional final.

In last week’s crossover game between the Silver and Gold champions, Lyons Township beat Downers Grove South 68-45 on Feb. 8 at Addison Trail.

The Lions had won the Silver title with an unblemished 12-0 re-

cord. Downers Grove South claimed the Gold championship with a 10-2 mark.

The crossover matchup of second-place teams featured Hinsdale

South of the Gold level against York—the runner-up in the Silver level. York beat the Hornets 57-25 in the Feb. 6 crossover contest in Elmhurst.

Willowbrook’s boys basketball team won two of three games last week. The Warriors finished their week with Saturday’s 82-60 West Suburban Gold Conference victory over Addison Trail in Villa Park. Willowbrook improved to 10-18 overall and 4-7 in conference play with the win over the Blazers. Senior Noah Campbell (No. 25 - above right) scored 18 points for the Warriors in Saturday’s victory. He is pictured while driving to the hoop to score a basket during the third quarter. Another photo (above left) shows (left to right) senior Luke Davis (No. 5), senior Jimmy Degnan (No. 21), Campbell and senior Isaac Sobieszczyk cheering from the sideline after one of their teammates—senior Stanton Turner—scored a fourth-quarter basket. The Warriors will complete their regular season with two home games this week. Willowbrook, which is hosting an IHSA Class 4A regional, will open the post-season by facing Metea Valley in a regional semifinal game in Villa Park on Feb. 22.

Warriors win two of three games as regular season winds down Willowbrook delivers dominant victories over York and Addison Trail; Warriors drop a one-point decision at Proviso East

The Willowbrook boys basketball team posted two decisive wins and suffered a one-point loss at Proviso East during last week’s action. The Warriors finished the week with an overall season record of 10-18 and a West Suburban Gold Conference mark of 4-7.

Willowbrook opened its week with a 65-50 non-conference win over York on Feb. 7 in Elmhurst. The Warriors lost 71-70 to Proviso East in Friday’s conference battle in Maywood. Willowbrook completed its week with Saturday’s convincing 82-60 conference victory over Addison Trail in Villa Park.

The Warriors will finish their regular season with a pair of home games this week—a conference contest against Hinsdale South (on Feb.

14) and tonight’s non-conference matchup against Plainfield Central.

Willowbrook jumped out to a 21-5 lead over York after one quarter of last week’s game in Elmhurst. The Warriors owned a 33-19 halftime lead and a 48-33 advantage at the end of the third quarter.

Willowbrook senior Joey Tumilty made four 3-point shots in the first half of last week’s contest against the Dukes. Tumilty scored a team-leading 16 points in the victory. Senior Luke Davis, who made three 3-point baskets, added 15 points for the Warriors, while senior Isaac Sobieszczyk scored 12 points and pulled down 16 rebounds.

Willowbrook trailed Proviso East 17-11 after one quarter of Friday’s contest. The Pirates led the Warriors 39-33 at halftime and 54-46 at the

end of the third quarter. Willowbrook trailed Proviso East 71-68 in the game’s closing seconds. After missing a couple of attempts from 3-point range, the Warriors scored a 2-point field goal to deliver the game’s final points.

Senior Noah Campbell scored a team-high 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Willowbrook in Friday’s loss. Sobieszczyk supplied 20 points and 12 rebounds. Davis and Tumilty scored nine and seven points, respectively. Senior Tyler Royal contributed five points. Proviso East, which has clinched the West Suburban Gold Conference title, improved its conference record to 9-1 with Friday’s win. The Pirates raised their conference record to 10-1

See WARRIORS, Page 12

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing Willowbrook’s girls basketball team finished its regular season with last week’s 46-34 loss to Downers Grove North in Villa Park. Senior Sara Stout (No. 15 - above left) scored nine points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Warriors in the loss. Senior Nina Nytko (No. 21 - above right) scored three points. Willowbrook completed the regular season with an overall record of 14-16. The Warriors opened the IHSA Class 4A post-season with this week’s game against Wheaton North at the St. Charles North Regional.

Warriors punch their ticket for the state meet

Willowbrook delivers a second-place sectional finish; Warriors will join 23 other teams at this week’s state meet in Rockford

The Willowbrook girls bowling team is headed to the IHSA state meet.

The Warriors earned their statemeet berth with a second-place finish in Saturday’s Hinsdale Central Sectional at Suburbanite Bowl in Westmont. The top four teams in the 12-team sectional secured berths in the state meet, which takes place this Friday and Saturday at the Cherry Bowl in Rockford.

A total of 24 teams—the top four teams from each of Saturday’s six IHSA sectionals—will compete at the state meet in Rockford. The top five individuals from each sectional who aren’t members of state-qualifying teams also advanced to the state meet.

Leyden won the team title at the Hinsdale Central Sectional with its overall score of 5,442. The Warriors landed in second place with their total of 5,381. Addison Trail locked up a state-meet berth with its third-place pin count of 5,206. York earned a trip

to the state meet with its fourth-place sectional score of 5,087.

Junior Jacquelyn Porro led Willowbrook to its second-place sectional finish with her six-game total of 1,263. Senior Brianna Smalling contributed a six-game score of 1,125 for the Warriors. Junior Olivia Williams rolled a six-game total of 1,053 for the Warriors, while junior Lauren Carson provided a score of 1,007 in her six games. Junior Annabelle Thompson, who fired a sixgame total of 933, rounded out Willowbrook’s sectional lineup.

Addison Trail sophomore Grace Cannizzo delivered her team’s best six-game total of the sectional—a 1,128. Senior Kylie Fiermuga (1,087), sophomore Amelia Leslie (1,023), senior Hannah Melone (987) and sophomore Val Pizzoferrato (981) also contributed to the Blazers’ third-place finish.

The 12 teams with the highest pin counts in this Friday’s action at the state meet will advance to Saturday’s finals. See photo on page 12.

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

STAFF REPORT

STAFF REPORT

Police Reports

Area police departments recently reported the following arrests and citations.

Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims.

Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.

Addison

Feb. 7

Luis E. Medina Aguilera, 29, of Hanover Park, was child endangerment in the 1400 block of W. Lake at 1:44 p.m.

Feb. 6

Rachel M. Wenker, 34, of Chicago, was charged with cocaine posses-

sion at 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 5

Rubysela Sanchez, 31, of Franklin Park, was charged with two counts of DUI and child endangerment near Lake and State at 12:26 a.m.

A 30-year-old Addison man was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 500 block of Green Oaks at 12:25 p.m.

Feb. 4

Christine G. Hughes, 48, of Glen Ellyn, was charged with DUI in the 100 block of S. Lincoln at 9:08 p.m.

Feb. 3

Police said Jose A. Cendejas, 22, of Hanover Park, had a failure to appear warrant for obstructing identification and driving while license suspended near 8th and Jamey at 12:35 a.m.

Villa Park

Feb. 4

Andre L. Cosey, 29, of Calumet City, was charged with being a fugitive from justice at a store in the 1-100 block of E. St. Charles at 8:57 p.m.

A complainant at a store in the 200 block of W. North reported that a subject was causing a disturbance at 5:06 p.m. Officers spoke with the subject, who was then served with a no-trespass notice.

Feb. 3

Police said Cristian E. Ramirez Torres, 33, of Villa Park, was processed on an in-jurisdiction warrant in the 200 block of N. Princeton at 4:59 p.m.

A 16-year-old male juvenile was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct at Willowbrook High School and transported to a juvenile detention home.

A complainant at a store in the 300 block of E. St. Charles reported that a subject was causing a disturbance at 10:13 p.m.

Feb. 2

A complainant in the 700 block of N. Addison reported that suspects battered them.

Feb. 1

Retail theft was reported at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 6:09 p.m. A complainant reported a suspect removed multiple items from display shelves and left the store without paying. Later, items were recovered and the suspect was issued a no-trespass.

Theft was reported at a coffee shop in the 100 block of W. Roosevelt at 6:41 p.m. A complainant reported unknown suspect removed items that were left behind on a bench.

Jan. 31

Burglary was reported at a fitness center in the 300 block of W. North at 2:07 p.m. A complainant reported unknown suspect broke into their secured locker and removed their wallet. The complainant also reported the suspect used their credit cards at multiple stores.

Jan. 25

A complainant in the 400 block of W. Division reported that subjects were causing a disturbance at 4:14 a.m.

A complainant at a store in the 100 block of W. North reported that a subject was causing a disturbance at 4:29 p.m.

Fraud, identity theft

According to information provided last week by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported three incidents of residents being a victim of fraud or identity theft.

Unwanted person on property

According to information provided last week by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported two incidents of complainants having an unwanted person on their property.

Bensenville

The Bensenville Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations. Persons who are charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the victim’s privacy. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Juveniles age 17-or-younger are not named.

Feb. 8, 1:36 p.m. in the 1000 block of N. Route 83, a complainant reported a retail theft at their place of busi-

ness by a known suspect. This case is under investigation. BEPC2300131

Feb. 8, 4:38 a.m. in the 500 block of Meyer Road, a complainant reported their work semi-truck was stolen. This case is under investigation.

Feb. 2, 3:41 p.m. in the 1000 block of Entry Drive, a victim reports someone stole catalytic converter from vehicle. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2300116

Feb. 1, 10:09 a.m. in the 700 block of Larsen Lane, a victim reports someone stole the catalytic converter from their vehicle. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2300113

Feb. 1, 1:17 p.m. in the 900 block of Glendale Street, a victim reports unauthorized transactions on a debit card. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2300114

Feb. 6, 10:23 a.m. in the 300 block of Green Street, Julius E. Fisher, 33, of Chicago, was arrested for an in-jurisdiction warrant. BEPC2300124

Feb. 6, 2:07 a.m. in the 1300 block of W. Irving Park Road., a 28-yearold Bensenville man was arrested for domestic battery. BEPC2300123

Feb. 5, 12:49 a.m. in the 100 block of S. York Road., JT JR. Harkey, 43, of Roselle, was arrested for driving under the influence and other traffic violations. Additional charges pending. BEPC2300121

Feb. 4, 3:59 p.m. in the 300 block of Green Street, police said Kyle J. Manning, 33, of Bensenville was arrested on a failure to appear in-jurisdiction warrant. BEPC2300120

Feb. 3, 10:31 p.m., on the 400 block of Supreme Drive, Ladarrance Davis, 30, of Cicero, was arrested for battery. BEPC2300119

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced last week that two of six Chicago residents currently stand accused of stealing nearly $15,000 worth of merchandise from an Ulta retail store in Oak Brook last November. The two suspects have each been sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Peaches P. Johnson, 30, and Roy Crane, 22, each entered a plea of guilty to one count of burglary (Class 2 felony) in front of Judge Daniel Guerin, who handed down the sentences.

The cases against Johnson’s and Crane’s co-defendants, Kamal J. Hoskins, 26, and Darnell Profit, 21, are currently pending in front of Judge Guerin. Hoskins’ next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, April 24, and Profit’s next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, March 8. They are each facing one count of burglary (Class 2 felony) and one count of retail theft (Class 3 felony). The two juveniles involved have each entered a plea of guilty.

On Nov. 12, 2021, at approximately 5:44 p.m., the Oak Brook Police Department received infor-

Two Chicago residents get three years for burglary, retail theft at Oak Brook Ulta store

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Did you know that dental-related ailments are responsible for the loss of more than 50 million school hours each year? That’s right. Thousands of children miss school every year because of some dentalrelated ailment. Fortunately, many of these ailments can be prevented through good oral care.

This National Children’s Dental Health Month, make your child’s smile a priority. Take them to the dentist regularly and teach them to care for their teeth properly.

Teacher shortages: Everything old is new again, or is it?

By Shereen Oca Beilstein and Meg Bates

Headlines about teacher shortages abound as schools recover from the pandemic. The challenges teachers faced during the pandemic significantly increased, and many experienced burn-out so intense they considered resigning.

However, conversations about teacher shortages are nothing new—they predate the pandemic by decades. Although there is debate over the magnitude and severity of the issue, stakeholders generally agree on the importance of recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers.

Addressing these shortages begs the question: Are the forces behind today’s teacher shortages the same as always? Or is something new happening in the wake of the pandemic?

To understand this issue, we recently surveyed 3,478 current and former educators in Illinois. Findings reveal a complex picture.

1. A majority of educators feel their salary is low.

Less than half of current and former educators agreed that their salary was appropriate, suggesting the importance of increasing educators’ salaries in general. But given that both current and former educators found their compensation to be lacking, pay might not be the main factor driving teacher shortages.

2. The biggest factor that motivates educators to leave—and to stay—is school leadership.

Only one-third of former educators felt supported by school leadership, compared to twothirds of current educators. School leadership clearly plays a critical role in promoting working conditions that retain educators, which ultimately supports student development.

3. COVID-19 safety was a concern for for-

mer educators.

More current educators reported feeling safe from COVID-19 in their schools than former educators, the majority of whom left during or after the pandemic. Given that safety was a concern of educators who left, checking in on the sense of safety for remaining educators might be a valuable practice for leadership going forward.

4. School policies must be transformed to align with the beliefs of educators of color. For educators of color, only one-fifth of those who were considering leaving their positions agreed that school policies aligned with their personal beliefs, compared to more than half of those who were considering staying. Supporting educators of color is important for many reasons, given the benefits for all students, especially students of color. But, as other scholars have asserted, this goal can be realized only if accompanied by structural changes to working conditions that have historically excluded these educators.

5. School leaders must cultivate supportive environments for early-career educators. For early-career educators, less than half of those who were considering leaving felt accepted in their workplaces, compared to 85 percent of those who were considering staying. With nearly half of teachers leaving the profession within 5 years, creating supportive environments—through programs such as mentoring— could be one mechanism to decrease attrition.

Shereen Oca Beilstein, PhD, is a research specialist at the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC). Meg Bates, PhD, is the director of IWERC.

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SUDOKU

Fun by the Numbers

Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

CLUES ACROSS

1. River in Tuscany

5. A way to represent

8. Rocker’s guitar

12. Civil Rights group

14. Brew

15. Scratch

16. W. Asian country

18. The Eye Network

19. Clarified butter

20. Part of the Cascade Range

21. Downwind

22. A way to steer

23. Loop

26. Not ingested

30. Swampy coniferous forest

31. Musician

32. Signing

33. Containing iron

34. Part of a theorem or proof

39. Veterans battleground (slang)

42. Of enormous proportions

44. Italian city

46. Come before

47. Balm

49. Undergarments

50. Male parent

51. Ropes

56. Ear part

57. Investment vehicle

58. Dictator

59. Cain and __

60. A type of code

61. Border river along India and Nepal

62. It’s what’s for dinner

63. Consume

64. Christian __, designer

CLUES DOWN

1. Cuckoos

2. Skin issue

3. City in central Japan

4. Sorrels

5. Twinned diamond

6. Canadian province

7. Monetary units

8. Head honcho

9. Goddess of wisdom

10. Part of a play

11. Get rid of

13. Applicant

17. Bowling alleys have many

24. Explosive

25. “The Say Hey Kid”

26. Ultrahigh frequency

27. No (Scottish)

28. Make a mistake

29. Credit card term

35. Keyboard key

36. Woman (French)

37. In the middle of

38. Score perfectly

40. Coat a metal with an oxide coat

41. Deadly disease

42. A place to dock a boat (abbr.)

43. Belch

44. Member of U.S. Navy

45. “In __”: separate from others

47. Examine extensively

48. Adjust

49. Tattle

52. Actor Pitt

53. Gulls

54. Within

55. Exceptionally talented performer Answers

The Daily Herald recently wrote that a “rarity” in the state budget revealed budget surpluses in the “billions of dollars,” one source of which was sales tax. But my skeptical self says to nonetheless brace myself for tax increases and of course, no break or rebate for those of us who pay those taxes. Like, when the gas tax goes back up this summer, and who knows what other taxes and fees will

• Warriors

be imposed on us. Instead of paying debts and managing existing programs, I bet they will look for new ways to spend that money. “Tax-andspend” seems to be the Democrats’ mantra.

* * *

When Donald Trump was president, I routinely heard the left refer to Trump as a king. If Trump was a king, what does that make JB Pritz-

(Continued from page 5

with Saturday’s win over Downers Grove South.

Willowbrook, which lost 58-56 to Addison Trail in the teams’ first meeting of the season on Jan. 20 in Addison, pounded the Blazers in Saturday’s rematch in Villa Park. Willowbrook poured in 29 first-quarter points to build a 29-12 lead after eight minutes of action. The Warriors led Addison Trail 51-26 at halftime.

Sobieszczyk scored a team-high 27 points for the Warriors in Saturday’s win. He also snared 13 rebounds. Sobieszczyk scored 11 points in the first quarter and added nine points in the second quarter to tally 20 points in the opening half. He added six more points in the third

quarter and sank one free throw in the fourth quarter.

Campbell provided 18 points, six assists and four steals in Saturday’s victory. Davis contributed nine points. Royal and senior Jaylin Brown scored five points each.

After finishing its regular season with two home games this week, Willowbrook will open the post-season with another home contest. The Warriors, who are hosting an IHSA Class 4A regional, will meet Metea Valley in a regional semifinal in Villa Park on Feb. 22.

The winner of that game will face either Lake Park or Wheaton North in the regional championship on Feb. 24.

ker? I noticed Pritzker extended his COVID emergency orders until May 11. This is the 39th time he’s extended these orders, and yet the media gives him a pass. Imagine if Trump had done something similar to what Pritzker gets away with here. Even Gavin Newsom has announced that California’s emergency orders will end at the end of February—and we all know how far left California is. Pritzker is apparently more of a radical leftist than Newsom, if that’s possible. * * *

Schools in the Arlington Heights area are banding together about the proposed Bears stadium and a possible TIF-style agreement. From what little I know about TIFs, it is not like the village would be taking an existing area and creating a TIF district that would take away tax dollars from other taxing bodies. This would be a “new” zone of development, separate from the stadium itself (for which Bears officials said they would not ask for tax breaks), and while a new TIF would put a ceiling on what the school districts could get in taxes for a given time, do they not realize that any development of that property would still create a new revenue source? More than what they had be-

fore! I smell greed. * * *

I agree with the call about Vice President Kamala Harris conveniently not including the pursuit of “life” in her speech. The Senate Working Group’s Leslie Ann Robertson said it best: “When you have to omit entirely one of the most integral parts of the Declaration of Independence in attempts to further your argument, said argument is immediately and objectively powerless.” Or GOP operative Matt Whitlock: “This point is obvious but when the ‘right to life’ blows up your message so bad you have to pretend it doesn’t exist, then maybe your message isn’t very good.” So, Democrats, let us hear you defend the vice president’s omission of the word “life” in her speech.

* * *

The media spent years pushing the Trump-Russia collusion hoax. It was all untrue, and the media knew it. The media suppressed the Hunter Biden laptop story, or claimed it was “Russian disinformation.” It wasn’t. The laptop is his. It’s no wonder that people’s opinion of the media is at an all-time low.

* * *

Just a wonderful production of the play “Ripcord” was put on by the stu-

dents of Willowbrook High School’s theater department. The acting was just delightful and the stage, sound and lighting were first class. Great job kids and staff!

* * *

What is Trump’s problem? The presidential election is still a long way away, and Ron DeSantis hasn’t even announced he’s going to run for president. But Trump is so petty and insecure that he has to resort to calling attention to a website that showed a photo of DeSantis with several young women during his brief time as a high school teacher more than 20 years ago. Trump, on his Truth Social website, questioned, without evidence, whether DeSantis was inappropriate with his female students. This coming from someone who has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, including non-consensual kissing or groping, by at least 25 women since the 1970s. I voted for Trump twice, and have since come to regret it. If he’s the Republican nominee in 2024, I will likely not vote for anyone on the ballot in the general election. I certainly will not vote for any kook leftist the Democrats happen to nominate. Why Melania stays married to him is anybody’s guess.

Willowbrook speech team competes in IHSA events

Willowbrook High School’s speech team competed in an IHSA regional at Fenton High School in Bensenville on Feb. 4. Willowbrook finished third in the regional’s team standings with its total of 58 points. Fenton claimed first-place honors with its total of 63 points. Oak Park/River Forest earned second place with 62 points. The top four finishers in each category of the Fenton Regional advanced to the Hinsdale Central Sectional, which took place on Saturday, Feb. 11. The top three finishers in each category at the sectional advanced to the state meet, which takes place this Friday and Saturday in Peoria. Unfortunately, no members of the Willowbrook team qualified for the state meet.

Willowbrook’s girls bowling team qualified for the IHSA state bowling meet when it finished second in Saturday’s Hinsdale Central Sectional at Suburbanite Bowl in Westmont. The top four teams at the sectional advanced to state meet, which takes place this Friday and Saturday in Rockford. Willowbrook will compete against 23 other teams at the state meet. The Warriors’ sectional lineup (pictured left to right) included: junior Annabelle Thompson, junior Lauren Carson, junior Maddie Wolf, junior Jacquelyn Porro, junior Olivia Williams and senior Brianna Smalling.

Willowbrook’s sectional qualifiers included senior Neeraja Kumar (left), who won first-place honors in the regional’s Impromptu Speaking category. Kumar earned another sectional berth with her second-place regional performance in Extemporaneous Speaking. Willowbrook’s tandem of senior Amelia Tortorici and junior Sean O’Brochta (above) teamed up to place second in the regional’s Humorous Duet Acting category. Tortorici earned another sectional berth with her second-place effort in Original Comedy. Willowbrook’s other second-place finishers at the regional included junior Sophia Marino (Humorous Interpretation) and sophomore Margaret Brennan (Oratorical Declamation). The team’s third-place finishers in the regional included Brennan (Dramatic Interpretation), senior Lia Galindo (Informative Speaking), sophomore Nuha Ashar (Poetry Reading) and the tandem of sophomore Evan Lundgren and senior Robert Ernst (Dramatic Duet Acting). Willowbrook’s fourth-place regional finishers included Galindo (Original Oratory), Ernst (Prose Reading) and senior Gabriella Taglia (Special Occasion Speaking).

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Willowbrook girls bowling team headed to state

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

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Slices of life

Viewpoint Strong like …

A friend recently encouraged me to be “strong like bull.” I was a bit confused (not uncommon.) Somehow, I thought the phrase was “strong like bear.” Which, of course, lead me to the Google.

Turns out the phrase “strong like bull” is a pop culture reference from a handful of movies, TV shows and song lyrics. Bears may not have the media accessibility in reference to their strength that bulls do, but they’re not letting that stop them.

While bulls are indeed strong, an individual male grizzly has the strength of five humans. It’s unsure who’d win out in a headto-head match-up between these two formidable mammals, but their strength is of the brute force variety. Neither bears nor bulls are gentile or precise in their movements.

The phrase, “Like a bull in a china shop” exists for a reason. Bulls (and bears) are likely to destroy anything in their path. (And I’m not referencing the stock market.) I’m not sure I want that type of strength.

Sheer force is just one type of

Burglary

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

strength. There are other ways to be strong. Strong like…

A blade of grass. Grass starts out as a seed, underground in the dark. A little spark of hope alights inside it, causing it to break out of its seed casing and reach for the light. Grass is the strength of hope and faith.

I’d like that kind of strength. A drop of water. When added together, single drops of water become ounces and cups and gallons and lakes and rivers and oceans. They nourish the planet— from blades of grass, to trees, to insects, to sparrows, to bulls, to bears, to humans. A drop of water is necessary for life. It illustrates the importance of coming together. One drop alone—while wholly water in its own right—can’t do

(Continued from page 6)

mation from the Chicago Police Department that a vehicle suspected of being involved in illegal activity in Norridge was in front of the Ulta beauty store. Officers immediately responded but by the time officers arrived, the vehicle had fled the scene.

It is alleged that five male subjects, all wearing hoodies and ski masks, ran into the store. It is alleged that at least three of the individuals pulled out garbage bags and that all five subjects worked in unison, clearing out the shelves of fragrances into the garbage bags. It is further alleged that the subjects then fled the scene. Through the course of their investigation into the burglary, the vehicle was located driving southbound on I-294 at which time the Hinsdale Police De-

Answers

partment shut down the highway and took the suspects into custody. In all, it is alleged that the individuals stole 153 bottles of fragrance worth nearly $15,000.

“According to the National Retail Foundation, the epidemic of retail theft costs businesses $34.9 billion a year,” Berlin said. “The quick apprehension of the defendants in this case and the significant consequences for their criminal conduct sends the message that in DuPage County we will do everything we can to protect our businesses and shoppers by holding violent offenders accountable and law enforcement will use all resources, including shutting down a highway, in order to catch anyone suspected of committing a violent crime.”

much. But many drops united can accomplish what an individual drop can’t. It’s a nourishing, coming-together for the betterment of all strength. Water is the strength of unity. We can learn much from water.

The strength of water is cleansing and good.

A tree. Trees grow—long, solid, and steadfast. They are patient, looking down over the same landscape for decades and sometimes even centuries. They communicate in ways we are only starting to understand—through their roots to ward off insect parasites. They share water and nutrients. They breathe in carbon dioxide and create oxygen for animals and humans. They provide shelter from the sun and homes

to birds and other critters. They provide lumber for our homes. Trees tower over us, observing it all. They are the past, the present, and the future. They are the strength of perseverance, fortitude, and steadfastness.

It’s a strength worthy of wanting and waiting for. The sun. Our sun provides light and warmth to the planet, its people and all other animals and organisms that call Mother Nature “home.” The sun defines our days and our years. We mark time by her revolutions. We plant crops according to her seasons. She helps feed us and nurture us. She impacts the ocean’s tides. The sun’s strength is an allencompassing one—surrounding us all in her light from the day we

are born.

I aspire to a strength like the warmth of the sun. There are plenty of ways to be strong. I’m glad for that. To be strong like bull or bear might be formidable, but perhaps one-dimensional. Real strength involves more than muscles and a killer instinct.

It is hope. It is faith. It is unity. It is perseverance, fortitude and steadfastness. It is allencompassing. And more. So much more.

Be strong—whatever that means for you.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.